A philosopher once asked, “How can the laboring man find time for self culture?” In response, the Culture Collective, a program from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County to help engage young professionals in the arts, has announced its 2017/18 season, including performances from area arts institutions such as Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota Opera and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.

Now in its fourth year at the Alliance, the Culture Collective serves to give young professionals ages 21 to 39 the opportunity to survey and sample the local arts and culture scene without breaking the bank. For a single membership fee, members of the Culture Collective receive tickets to a series of eight performances spread throughout the year and across different disciplines and organizations. In addition to what are effectively discounted tickets, members also have access to special pre- and post-performance events, ranging from mix-and-mingle cocktails with other members to behind-the-scenes tours and talks with the artists.

This year’s season begins Dec. 16 at the Van Wezel, where the Sarasota Ballet will perform John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker, before moving on to Asolo Repertory Theatre for a Jan. 30 performance of Shakespeare in Love. On Feb. 3, the Culture Collective will go to see the Choral Artists of Sarasota and Sarasota Contemporary Dance join forces for Carmina Burana in Motion, followed by a Feb. 17 performance of Native Gardens at Florida Studio Theatre. In March, members will experience Spectropia at the Ringling Museum and Sarasota Opera’s Manon Lescaut, before closing out the season with an April performance from the Sarasota Orchestra and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s Soul Man in May.

“It’s a way to not only experience the arts, but get more involved,” says Jim Shirley, executive director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance. The purpose of the Culture Collective isn’t to provide discounted tickets, but foster community and expose young professionals to the arts so that they can find what works for them and where they want to spend their time and energy in the community. “It’s important to the arts and cultural community that we get a chance to work with these future leaders,” he says. “And for them understand the importance of the arts in this community.”

Membership is still available at $125 for a single membership and $240 for dual membership. Contact the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County or follow the link below for more information.

Culture Collective